Frogger

[Savage]

Okay, I'm going to break down and try topwater frogs this year......  now what type of line and rod should I use to get the most out of them, and what type of water should I use them on?

I broke down and bought two Bose Sumo frogs, and I'm looking hard at the Bronzeye frogs from Spro.

I also picked up a few bags of the Case version of the soft plastics frogs everyone seems to be throwing.

Now what do I do?

[Cheetam]

65 lb braid on a medium-heavy to heavy 7 footer ought to do it...You don't want a wimpy rod or wimpy line when horsing pigs out of the slop.

[Savage]

I usually don't end up horsing pigs, I'm more likely to ease in a squealer

Thanks for the feedback.

You really think I need the heavy stuff here in Michigan though?  That would dedicate one rod to frogs for me, with that heavy of line on there.  That might be a good thing for me, force me to use it a bit more...

[Bulletproof]

I'd agree with the heavy set-up as well.  Especially if you can get away with it, and with frog fishing you can.  I usually opt for a 7ft heavy casting rod with 20# XT.  My favorite frog is prolly the white and/or green Scum Frog.  I love the frog bites in july and august.

[smbassman]

In the areas you normally throw frog baits, HEAVY is a must.  Popping lilypads one after another for long distances is not easy and requires heavy tackle.  I would also suggest a high speed reel(with good strong gears) because you have less chance of loosing the fish if you can get them up and ski them in. 

And by the way, perpair yourself for frustration.  Hook-up ratio is very low when fishing the real heavy stuff.

Now, if you are talking about frog fishing in non-typical(open water) areas like Dean Rojas does, then the tackle could be sized down a bit.

[Cheetam]

I usually don't end up horsing pigs, I'm more likely to ease in a squealer

Thanks for the feedback.

You really think I need the heavy stuff here in Michigan though?? That would dedicate one rod to frogs for me, with that heavy of line on there.? That might be a good thing for me, force me to use it a bit more...

A heavy action rod can also be used for all sorts of applications.  If you go with a 7' MH or Heavy, you now have a froggin rod, jig and worm rod, carolina rig rod, big spinnerbait rod and a buzzbait rod.  If you are hesitant in using the braid in clear water situations, tie on a 4 foot flouro leader and you are all set.

[Revtro]

I totally agree with Jeff.  I came unprepared to a tourney last year and fished buzzfrogs all day on 14lb and 17lb mono.  Even though I had a stout rod, I couldn't get them out of the thick stuff that you usually fish a frog over.  I lost a giant fish that would have filled a nice limit out.  I was still fortunate enough to win the tournament thanks to my outstanding partner who actually got me fishing frogs that day, but we could just as easily lost the event when I lost that good fish.  You won't catch me fishing frogs without using heavy braid again.  Even in Michigan, you don't want to get stuck in lilly pads or thick matted stuff without being able to horse them out.  Don't get caught with your pants down like I did.

[blakstr1]

i just watched a show with Dean Rojas and Roland Martin..it was a Spro show so they were biased..but that new bronzeye frog really looks good.  Gamakatsu hook and the softer body are suppose to allow for better hook-ups..plus they improved the frog so it won't get water logged so often.  time to order!

[Savage]

Blakstr, you know my weakness.  Are we going to split shipping?  If you haven't checked these out yet, take a look:

unnamed has 'em for $8.50

[Bulletproof]

I have to admit those frogs do look good.

Ouch-8.50 a pop seems a little much, but whos countin hey.

id buy some for sure.

[blakstr1]

well the deals get better...Cabelas and BPS have them for $7.99ea.  WOOHOO!!

[5alive]

I have to agree about going heavy as possible if you going to have a dedicated frog rod or flipping outfit. I like 50lb. braid and MD HVY. I also use this for open water scattered grass with horny toads. I don't like to fast of a gear ratio on the reel though (5:1), get more power with a lower gear ratio. The cost of frogs isn't really that bad, if you look at how long they last (have never lost one, but have had a few wear out), and that SPRO frog looks as good as any I have used. Good luck, keep their head up and reel!!

[Grandbass]

 A heavy rod is a must. This past year I switched from using flourocarbon to braid on frog fishing and my landing percentage went way up. My all time best bait in the slop is a snag proof brown moss mouse. I started using horny toads last year and like the fact you can work these like buzzbaits and then in the middle of the retrieve stop it and let it sink. I picked up alot of fish using that method last year. The only bad part horny toad fishing was the fact that the bait always slid down the hook. After some experimenting I found if you put a bead in front of the bait it goes through the slop alot better and doesnt slide down the hook. I bought a few the the Dean Rogas frogs and they look pretty sweet. The hooks are kinda bent to any angle were the slope downward and it looks like the hooking percentage will go up on this bait. I cant wait to try these...

[McCarter]

Frogs are it man.  I have been fishing with the snag proof ones for a few years now.  I get some crap from some of my friends when i pull it out, especially if i dont end up getting a fish on them that day.  But i have caught some real nie fish on them (even in November,once).

They are great if you are fishing with kids too.  Its something visual that you can throw to keep them entertained and when you get a blow up, they go nuts and want to try it as well.

I used the frog the whole day at the Crossroads for Youth event we had last year.  I had two kids with me and they were both geeked to see the fish come up and slap at it.  I had both of them using one after a little while and getting blows ups from bass and pike.

We had a ball.  Definatly a fun way to fish. 

As far as the price tag goes, if you use a heavy rod and braided line, or very heavy mono you really dont lose many frogs.  I have lost Lucky Crafts probably 5 to 1 over frogs.

I use a 7ft medium heavy Airrus Co Matrix rod with a medium fast tip when im throwing a frog.  And i never throw it on anything other than braid.  Except at the DK Open when i nested my reel with the braid up and had to throw it on 12 lb mono.

I figured something out last season to help me get a better hook up percentage too.  I started using a Gamakatsu G stinger hook looped on the main hook and pointed upwards.  It stays pretty weedless and helps on those short strikes.

The buzz style soft plastic frogs are pretty sweet too.  Although i didnt play with them as much as i should of last year.  But i had some luck on them on Kent Lake and Pettibone Lake in mid summer.  The zoom horny toad had the best action of the few different brands i tried.  The only wierd thing about them is some will sink and some will float.  I had a pack that were about half and half.  One thing i did to get some extra action out of the Zoom toad was to cut out a little triangle on the back of both legs.  It really makes those legs fold over themselves and turn water.


PoorBoy himself

[Savage]

Looks like a consensus:  Use braid, heavy rod, get in the thick stuff.  Thanks guys.

[Bulletproof]

The only reason i didnt mention a braided line is from my experience i have lost too many fish using braided line when fishing frogs.  thats why ichose 20 XT or even heavier.  the zero stretch that is inherent in a braid can sometimes not be as forgiving as a 'stretchy mono' when a fish might happen to make that fatal jump or any other plausible scenario that we have all lost fish too. i am also still a skeptic on hook design as well on most convetnional frogs, although weedless, i have lost fish because of what i believe is bad design.  do i have an anwser for a better design-no.  to be honest i sometimes just pick the fattest tube in my box, rig it texas style weightless and often find i get the same topwater results that i desire with the frog with better hook sets and ultimately a higher catch ratio.  not to mention you can also let the tube fall in between all the little holes that we fish frogs in.  my 02 cents again.

[djkimmel]

Now you're talking. I've been experimenting with my favorite Xtreme Bass Tackle Emerald Shiner hologram tube rigged and fished that way, and have had some pretty good results including catching some bass out of Stearns Bayou that I was having trouble getting before I switched. More on this to report as the year progresses I hope.

[Cheetam]

Now you're talking. I've been experimenting with my favorite Xtreme Bass Tackle Emerald Shiner hologram tube rigged and fished that way, and have had some pretty good results including catching some bass out of Stearns Bayou that I was having trouble getting before I switched. More on this to report as the year progresses I hope.

I thought I was the only one using the Emerald Shiner Hologram as a "frog"...thanks for letting the secret out Dan   

As for braid vs heavy mono...I personally don't want ANY stretch when fishing a frog.  I think zero stretch leads to better hook-ups with the fish and I want to pull them out of the nasty stuff as fast as possible before they wrap me up in the goop.

[McCarter]

Stearns Bayou?? Is that on the Grand river? 

I like bayous.  Dont have too many in my area tho.  I fished a few bayous on Hamlin lake with success.  At least i think they were bayous cuz the locals called them bayous.  And on the west side at the grand i did pretty decent in a bayou while pre fishing, but my boater for the tournament had other plans.  Plans of not catching any fish and then getting us back late. 

PoorBoy himself

[Savage]

I think I know that boater you mentioned...